Radionuclide Export and Elimination by Coyotes at Two Radioactive Waste Disposal Areas in Southeastern Idaho

Abstract

Coyote fecal samples were collected near a radioactive waste leaching pond and a solid radioactive waste disposal facility and analyzed for radioactivity. Elevated concentrations of 137Cs, 90Sr and 238Pu in the samples from the liquid radioactive waste leaching area were attributed to coyotes ingesting contaminated pond water and/or small mammals. Elevated 241Am concentrations in coyote fecal samples collected around the solid radioactive waste disposal facility were due to ingestion of contaminated small mammals. Assumptions relative to the coyote use of these areas permitted an estimate of the maximum quantity of radioactivity exported and eliminated around the facilities. An annual total of 7.2, 31.4 and 1.8 microCi (90Sr, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239,240Pu, 241Am, 242Cm and 244Cm) was eliminated by coyotes within a 6.3 km radius of the solid radioactive waste disposal facility, liquid waste leaching pond, and control area, respectively. These quantities of radioactivity eliminated by coyotes were similar or less than quantities transported by other mechanisms such as waterfowl and vegetative uptake of radioactivity. Coyotes are a mode of radionuclide transport from the two radioactive waste disposal areas; however, due to the low radionuclide concentrations and low yearly radionuclide inventories in coyote fecal samples, it is doubtful that any significant environmental consequences occur as a result of this transport mechanism.

A review on the importance of metals and metalloids in atmospheric dust and aerosol from mining operations

“…For example, although most transport processes in soil are inherently slow and limited in spatial extent (Weber et al, 1991; Sheppard, 2005), over sufficient time large amounts of contaminants can be transported though the soil, resulting in elevated risks to human health and the local environment. Contaminant transport by biological vectors (biota) is generally less confined by topographic barriers than transport processes in soil and thus has a greater potential to redistribute contaminants at spatial scales that extend beyond the local environment (Arthur and Markham, 1982; Hope, 1993; Braune et al, 2005). Water and fluvial sediment are also major transport pathways for the mobilization and redistribution of contaminants in the environment (Weber et al, 1991; Kolpin et al, 1998; McGechan and Lewis, 2002).…”

“…The potential speed and distance through which contaminants are transported by biota are typically much less than those associated with transport by other pathways, making contaminant transport by biota more of a localized environmental problem (Arthur and Markham, 1982; Hope, 1993). Contaminant transport in soil and water is also usually more of a localized environmental problem compared to contaminant transport by air, which is more of a worldwide phenomenon that has important global implications.…”

Source Document: The Relationship Between Pocket Gophers (Thomomys bottae) and the Distribution of Buried Radioactive Waste at the Los Alamos National Laboratory

“…bone fragments found 9.7 km away from the site (O'Farrell and Gilbert, 1975). Coyote fecal samples surrounding a radionuclide waste leaching pad at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) were also found to have elevated radionuclide concentrations (Arthur and Markham, 1982). Nesting raptors surrounding INEEL were found to have higher concentrations and a larger variety of radionuclides than at control sites.…”